A selection of short documentary, narrative, and animated films that highlight the black experience and black filmmakers.
UNCAGED Directed by Jay Richardson 5:19 • United States A young NIL student-athlete grapples with anxiety, identity, and survivor's guilt as he navigates the hidden costs of success.
Vainglorious Directed by Oshiomati Gabriel Ugbodaga 8:15 • United States When a skilled young boxer and a determined father clash in a traditional Nigerian boxing match, their resilience and pride are put to the ultimate test.
Bloqué Directed by Miguel Ortiz 6:39 • United States A drummer with a creative block visually takes the audience down his own memories into the heart of his emotional blockage.
House of Modern Art Directed by Matthew Mugweru 5:39 • United States In "House of Modern Art," an obsessive cult from diverse trades and backgrounds gathers to perform a grotesque ritual, constructing a distorted piece of artwork that serves as their idol of worship.
Heavy Is the Head Directed by Chap Edmonson 9:24 • United States An experimental exploration of identity as a young black man learns to navigate the world and the expectations that weigh upon him.
American Dignity Directed by Hanson Hosein 19:59 • United States Filmed during the first weeks of 2025, "American Dignity" captures a nation in flux. This short documentary is both a snapshot of a critical moment and a meditation on the enduring tension between progress and backlash.
Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles Directed by Emily Sheskin 6:00 • United States A lifelong hobby becomes a lifeline for an unexpected Twitch streamer.
Voices of the Academy Directed by Latoria Hicks 13:14 • United States Three professors explore the history, significance, and ongoing challenges of African American Vernacular English in education and the United States and reflect on its cultural impact and the fight for linguistic acceptance.
Teddy Directed by Lauren Santucci 15:55 • United States Meet Timothy Gant, Jr., "Teddy," a male birth doula working to improve birth outcomes for Black women in Houston, Texas. As a doula working predominantly with Black women, Timothy helps his clients achieve a positive, safe, and empowering birth on their terms.
Thursday August 21, 2025 6:00pm - 7:45pm CDT Sidewalk Cinema Theater A1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
A selection of short documentary, narrative, and animated films that highlight the black experience and black filmmakers.
UNCAGED Directed by Jay Richardson 5:19 • United States A young NIL student-athlete grapples with anxiety, identity, and survivor's guilt as he navigates the hidden costs of success.
Vainglorious Directed by Oshiomati Gabriel Ugbodaga 8:15 • United States When a skilled young boxer and a determined father clash in a traditional Nigerian boxing match, their resilience and pride are put to the ultimate test.
Bloqué Directed by Miguel Ortiz 6:39 • United States A drummer with a creative block visually takes the audience down his own memories into the heart of his emotional blockage.
House of Modern Art Directed by Matthew Mugweru 5:39 • United States In "House of Modern Art," an obsessive cult from diverse trades and backgrounds gathers to perform a grotesque ritual, constructing a distorted piece of artwork that serves as their idol of worship.
Heavy Is the Head Directed by Chap Edmonson 9:24 • United States An experimental exploration of identity as a young black man learns to navigate the world and the expectations that weigh upon him.
American Dignity Directed by Hanson Hosein 19:59 • United States Filmed during the first weeks of 2025, "American Dignity" captures a nation in flux. This short documentary is both a snapshot of a critical moment and a meditation on the enduring tension between progress and backlash.
Livestreams with GrandmaPuzzles Directed by Emily Sheskin 6:00 • United States A lifelong hobby becomes a lifeline for an unexpected Twitch streamer.
Voices of the Academy Directed by Latoria Hicks 13:14 • United States Three professors explore the history, significance, and ongoing challenges of African American Vernacular English in education and the United States and reflect on its cultural impact and the fight for linguistic acceptance.
Teddy Directed by Lauren Santucci 15:55 • United States Meet Timothy Gant, Jr., "Teddy," a male birth doula working to improve birth outcomes for Black women in Houston, Texas. As a doula working predominantly with Black women, Timothy helps his clients achieve a positive, safe, and empowering birth on their terms.
Thursday August 21, 2025 6:30pm - 8:15pm CDT Sidewalk Cinema Theater B1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
USA • 1 hour 30 minutes • documentary Directed by Catherine Gund
In 1971, underestimated artist Faith Ringgold made a monumental painting for the women incarcerated at Rikers Island jail. Fifty years later, artist Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, who gave birth in prison 15 years ago, finds herself banding together with an eccentric bunch of activists, politicians, artists, corrections officers and Faith Ringgold to free the painting with the ultimate goal of freeing the women. Paint Me a Road Out of Here is a wild tale of the painting’s whitewashed journey and the two artists who challenge the same powerful, oppressive and persistent institutions, a half century apart with their artwork, their voices and their shared, persistent goals.
USA • 1 hour 30 minutes • documentary Directed by Catherine Gund
In 1971, underestimated artist Faith Ringgold made a monumental painting for the women incarcerated at Rikers Island jail. Fifty years later, artist Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, who gave birth in prison 15 years ago, finds herself banding together with an eccentric bunch of activists, politicians, artists, corrections officers and Faith Ringgold to free the painting with the ultimate goal of freeing the women. Paint Me a Road Out of Here is a wild tale of the painting’s whitewashed journey and the two artists who challenge the same powerful, oppressive and persistent institutions, a half century apart with their artwork, their voices and their shared, persistent goals.
